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Sri Lanka faces increase in foreigners overstaying in the country

Xinhua, July 23, 2015 Adjust font size:

The Sri Lankan government on Thursday said that there was an increase in the number of foreigners overstaying in the island country and authorities were in the process of identifying and arresting them.

Cabinet Spokesperson Rajitha Senaratne told reporters in capital Colombo that due to the increase in the numbers, the government had decided to establish a center to keep these overstaying foreigners till actions are taken to deport them from Sri Lanka.

"On a proposal made by the minister of public order, the cabinet has agreed to allocate 100 perches of land to the Department of Immigration and Emigration for the establishment of a center to keep the overstaying foreigners," Senaratne said.

The center is to be established close to the country's Bandaranaike International Airport through which most of the Immigration and Emigration activities are taking place, the minister further said.

Several foreigners have been arrested in the recent months for overstaying in the country with authorities claiming that they had been involved in trade and business activities despite holding a tourist visa.

Investigations have also revealed that some foreigners had been involved in illegal activities and had been detained for further investigations. Endi